They’ll all come to meet me. . .

It saddens me greatly to announce that my mom, Ellen, the wine diva of our family, took her last sip on January 15, 2025.  She is predeceased by my dad, Harold, July 7, 2023, my brother, Albert, July 8, 2024, and survived by me, Kim, and my husband, her second son, Ed.   My origin family is now all gone.  They knew I would clean up after the party.

Mom was born, November 25, 1927, in Davidson, Saskatchewan.  She was the youngest child of Swedish/Finnish homesteaders Esther and Carl Johnson.  Her older siblings were Viola, Norman and Albert.  They were a farming family in the time of the Great Depression and World War 2.  Along with growing up with hardship and doing without, mom had a strict father that wanted her to be a school teacher.  To get away from the restraints of life at home she left for Moose Jaw to get her teaching certificate.  Later she taught all grades in one room school houses in Hanley, Harris, and Craig as well as helping on the farm during summers.   She took a position that was still vacant in late November in the town of Goodeve.  When she arrived, she found the school and teacherage rundown with no supplies and everything in disrepair.  She was so angry about the conditions she showed up at a teacher’s meeting, went to the front where the supervisors sat, pounded on the desk demanding that it be fixed to a livable standard. That was my feisty mom.  She still had to use oil lamps and chop wood to heat the school, but her tenacity and farm work experience allowed this young woman of 24 to put together a functional school.  It was difficult living alone in what she called a Godforsaken place but she loved her freedom and especially loved her students.  From the stories she told me, I wonder what she taught them!   Being the new school teacher she had many suitors come knocking and soon met my dad.  Before long they were married and driving to the west coast in her car!  It was somewhat of a forced emigration.  My brother arrived shortly afterwards and five years later I made my entrance in Lions Gate Hospital.  They brought me home to Burrill Avenue in Lynn Valley where they lived for 53 years before moving to Campbell River in 2014.

Mom liked nice clothes, makeup, and dressing up but she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty.    I remember coming home from school and the basement walls were torn out to make for a much larger room or the time she was butchering a whole pig on the kitchen table.  Mom was a homemaker but always worked part time to have her own spending money and afford a car.  She drove a red 67 Beaumont.  She was outgoing and fun. . . Always ready for a social drink, a song or especially a dance.  She was also happy to be by herself.  Mom said what she thought and enhanced it colourfully.   She outlived her many life long friends.  She was fearlessly independent and never complained about her aches and pains even at the end.  The only thing mom complained about was why the bottle of wine couldn’t be kept in her room!  There was an emergency text from the care home if she was running out.

It took a long time for me to recognize it, but in many ways I’m a lot like her.  Knowing this will keep the memory of her close to me. 

Leave your cares behind mom.  Dad and Albert are waiting for you with open arms.  Keep the volume up so I can find your kitchen party!

No service by request.  To share a memory of Ellen or a condolence, please go to Talford Toneff & Boyd, Campbell River, website Telfordtoneffboyd.ca or send a personal note to me kzandef@gmail.com.

It’s good to touch the green green grass of home

By Kevin Gilby

Fourteen teams from David- son and area participated in the Davidson Ladies’ Bonspiel on Jan. 10-11 at the AGT Centre. In the past, the bonspiel ran in early March. To avoid competing with the provincial hockey matches, organizers moved the event to January last year, and the new date certainly helped draw entries. Beth Booker was all in for the change, winning the bonspiel last year and again this year. “We had a good turnout,” said organizer Marla Dezotell. “Lots of teams came out for a lot of fun. Fourteen teams, three of which were out-of-town teams.”

The winners were:

First Place: Beth Booker

Second Place: Agnes Viczko

Third Place: Stacey Siroski Winners received cash prizes.

For added fun, organizers held a calcutta in which members could buy a random team for an additional chance to win. Rink entry fees covered cash prizes, food vouchers for the can- teen, plus a small contribution to league funds. “Thanks to Amber Holland for organizing the draw, Donna Stone for all her help, and every- one else that pitched in,” said Dezotell. The club is looking forward to the Farmers’ Bonspiel, which runs Jan. 24-26 at the AGT Centre. Spaces are still available for $200 a team. Interested groups are encouraged to contact Rob Stone for more information.

Our beloved father Clayton Arnold Rowe passed away in his home on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the age of 79. He leaves behind his two sons Todd (Lisa) and Clint, and grandchildren Skylar (Tanysha), Dana and Morgan, and great grandchildren Serenity, Nevaeh and Hunter.

He was born in Davidson, Saskatchewan on October 19, 1945, and spent his childhood on the family farm working along side his parents Howard and Edna, and siblings Hugh (Beatrice), Carol (Dale) and Wayne (Jeannine). His parents, wife Judy and sibling Wayne predecease him.

Clay and the love of his life, Judith Ann (Reardon) were married in 1968 and had 47 happy years together until her passing in October of 2015. They made their home in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, where he began his career with Prince Albert Pulp and Paper, later Weyerhaeuser. They then moved out to Emma Lake in 1975 where they built their home at McPhail Cove, before returning to Prince Albert the summer of 1984. During these years he also took a few years off from the pulp mill to run a Masonry business building Fireplaces, until a back injury forced him to return to the pulp mill a few years later.

After returning to Prince Albert Clay owned and managed several rental properties in Prince Albert and also a 12-unit apartment building in Rosthern for a few years. He was very handy with all types of carpentry and along with both his sons teaching them this ability, and including them in various projects he undertook on his days off.

Clay and Judy had many adventures together and made several trips to the Yukon in their VW camper van, some with their son Todd, as well as in later years with their various other RV’s. Several of their favourite places to camp and fish included Missinippe, Weyakiwn and Anglin Lake. They liked to include their grandchildren, Skylar and Dana, in many of these camping trips.

Clay had a lifelong interest in fishing and loved to spend his time on the water, especially Anglin Lake. He passed this passion along to his children and grandchildren. One of his favourite sayings was “fishy fishy in the brook, come and bite papa’s hook” with his grandchildren.

There will be no memorial or funeral service at Clay’s request and the family asks that if you wish to make a tribute in Clay’s name to make a donation to your charity of choice in lieu of flowers or other gifts.

(known as “Tex” to many people) passed away unexpectedly in Davidson , Sask. on January 4, 2025. Gary was born on July 6, 1950. He was born and raised in Davidson along with his sister, Wendy, and his brother, Rick. His parents owned The Midway clothing store on Main Street, and they lived above it. Gary met Karen, the love of his life, in Davidson and they got married on April 8, 1972. In 1973, they had their first of 3 daughters- Sheri. Throughout this time, Gary worked at Well’s Land and Cattle. In 1975, they welcomed their second daughter, Alison. Gary also started working at the Allan Potash Mine that same year. A few years later, Gary and Brian Hembroff started “ Hembroff and Edom Construction”. He also earned his Journeyman in carpentry . In 1977, he built the house that he and Karen have lived in ever since . In 1980, Gary and Karen welcomed their youngest daughter, Joanne. In the late 1980’s, Gary went back to school and got his degree in Government Administration. He then began his career as Town Administrator of Davidson, where he worked until he retired in 2021. In his retirement, Gary loved to travel with Karen and their good friends. They went to Hawaii, The Maritimes, Nashville, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Toronto ( he LOVED going to watch the  Bluejays play!). Gary loved going to visit his children and grandchildren in Saskatoon- going to their sporting events, taking them to the exhibition, the park and the museum. He also loved when they would come to visit in Davidson. He enjoyed playing cards with friends, watching game shows, nightly bowls of ice cream, and  eating at Red Lobster. Gary was a hard working, community minded man. He had such a wonderful dry sense of humor, and never went anywhere without a huge smile on his face. He was a master of couch naps. But most importantly, he was a cherished husband, dad, grandpa and friend. Gary is survived by his wife , Karen, daughters Sheri ( Donnie) Emling and children Benjamin, Emerson, Makenzie, and Maddy; Alison (Scott) Judd and son Louis; Joanne ( Jordie Gagnon) Tyndall and children Sophie ( Matt), Sam, Gus, and Beck ; sister Wendy ( Steve) Bareham, brother Rick ( Norma) Edom. Gary is also survived by his mother-in-law Carol Riecken, sisters-in-law Gloria (Alex) Morrison, Cheryl Riecken, Donna Russel, brother-in-law Doug (Marnie) Riecken as well as numerous nieces and nephews as well as many wonderful friends. He is predeceased by his parents, Harry and Lenore Edom. Gary’s celebration of life will be held at a later date. Those who wish to donate in Gary’s name can do so to Sask Lung or Charity of Choice.

Hanson’s Funeral Service of Davidson in care of arrangements

94 years of age, of Regina Saskatchewan, passed away on January 4, 2025, at Grace Hospice in Regina.

Al was born on New Year’s Eve, in 1930, to John and Mary Maier of Kronau.  It was the dirty thirties, years of devastating drought, and times were difficult for almost everyone, especially farmers.  Al, his 5 brothers and 2 sisters all learned the meaning of hard work, how to entertain themselves and to earn their own money.  

He lived at Kronau until 1938.  In 1953 he moved to Craik to farm four miles west of town, with his parents.  Al was the only sibling who chose farming as his career.    

In the early 1950s Al worked a variety of jobs in the winter in Regina, excelling at everything he attempted. Because of his work ethic and intelligence, he quickly became the foreman at his construction jobs.   As a salesman, he sold everything from Amana food freezers to Fuller brushes and Electrolux vacuum cleaners. He often won awards for the numbers he sold because he knew the value of always looking the part – a starched white shirt, cufflinks, a suit and polished shoes. Al was very musical, and he became a trumpet player in many local orchestras. 

In the Spring of 1956, Al married Joan at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Regina.  While they were engaged, Al built a little 24 x 24 house while farming. He had a hammer, level, a square and a hand saw. This house was fine until two babies entered the picture and they exchanged houses with Al’s parents on the farm. This gave them lots of room for their expanding family; married in ‘56, Janet in ‘57, Matt in ‘58, Marj in ‘60 and Kathy in ‘62!   

By 1980 all four kids had graduated from Craik high school and had moved away.  Al and Joan decided to build a new home in Craik – Al built it.  He continued to farm until 2009; he farmed for 62 years.

Al was respected for his work ethic and his commitment to the Craik Community. He was a priest’s warden for 45 years for the Anglican church. He remembers telling the priest that he should go to heaven for all the work he did for the church; however, the priest wasn’t making any promises. Al was one of the founding members of the Craik and District Lions Club.  He supported every work bee and fundraising Lions Club event, often recruiting his children to help. He spent many hours maintaining the rink and the legion hall.   In 2023, he was awarded a life membership for outstanding service to the Royal Canadian Legion to recognize his dedication to the legion.

Al enjoyed curling, golf, camping and fishing.  By the late 1970s they were able to spend more time travelling in the winter months.  Eventually they spent winters in Viewpoint, Mesa, Arizona where they had a lovely home.  These were very happy times.

Al is survived by his loving wife of 68 years Joan, daughter Jan Pritchard (Brian), Alex, son Matt Maier (Lana), Jorah, daughter Marj Maier (Rob), Stephen (Nadine) great grandchild Cordelia, Mike and daughter Kathy Black (Rob), Jordan (Kara) and Graham. Al is also survived by his remaining sibling, Gerry Maier.

Al lived by the motto, ‘work hard and play hard.”  He had a wicked sense of humour, right up until the end. He was always the ‘last man standing’ whether it was shovelling wheat, pitching bales or drinking rum. 

Al had a full and wonderful life; he will be deeply missed by those who knew him. He truly believed in making his community a better place.  In lieu of flowers, please consider volunteering for a community organization.

 A celebration of Al’s life will be held on May 31 in Craik.